Raspberry plant named &#39;PARAGON&#39;

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct everbearing variety of raspberry plant named ‘PARAGON’. The new variety is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California and is characterized by the following: early primocane production with medium sized fruit of light-red coloration and high gloss. Fruit is of consistent conic shape, medium adherence of receptacle and is of excellent flavor. Foliage is slightly concave, medium green; possessing very strong rugosity and equal 3-5 foliates. Primocanes have an absent or very weak waxy coat, medium thorn density and weak, anthocyanin coloration.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAMED

Rubus idaeus

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘PARAGON’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct fall bearing raspberry variety designated as ‘PARAGON’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2008 between raspberry variety ‘GRANDEUR’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,459) and raspberry variety ‘PS-3890’ (unpatented) in an ongoing breeding program. The variety is botanically known as Rubus idaeus.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was asexually propagated by dormant canes in Santa Cruz County, California and was subsequently selected by the inventor from a controlled breeding plot in Watsonville, Calif. in 2010. After its selection, the new variety was further asexually propagated by dormant canes, roots and non-dormant root shoot cuttings in Santa Cruz County, California, San Joaquin County, California and Siskiyou County, California. The new variety was then extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Santa Cruz County, California. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘PARAGON’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. This region provides the necessary year-round temperatures required for it to produce and maintain a strong vigorous plant and to remain in fruit production from July through December on primocanes and in the ensuing year from May through July on the floricanes. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘PARAGON’, which in combination distinguish this raspberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

1. Early primocane fruiting

2. Very strong rugosity

3. Light red fruit color

4. High fruit gloss

5. Excellent flavor

The raspberry variety that is believed to be most closely related to the new raspberry variety ‘PARAGON’ is the raspberry variety ‘GRANDEUR’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,459). In comparison to the similar raspberry variety ‘GRANDEUR’, ‘PARAGON’ differs by the following combination of characteristics described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 ‘GRANDEUR’ Characteristic ‘PARAGON’ (U.S. PP20,459) Primocane waxy coat (glaucosity) Absent to very Absent to very weak weak Predominate number of leaflets Equal 3-5 Always 3 Leaf shape (cross section) Slightly concave Flat to slightly convex Rugosity Very strong Strong Color mature fruit RHS 34A RHS 42A Light red Medium red Primocane fruit weight (g) 4.2 3.9 Floricane color RHS N167A RHS 164A Greyed-orange Greyed-orange group group

‘PARAGON’ differs from its parents, ‘GRANDEUR’ and ‘PS-3890’ by the following combination of characteristics described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 ‘GRANDEUR’ Characteristic ‘PARAGON’ (U.S. PP20,459) ‘PS-3890’ Productivity High High Medium Glossiness (fruit) High Medium High Adherence of Medium Weak Strong receptacle Primocane time of Early Medium Late fruiting Fruit size Medium Medium Large Flavor Excellent Good Very good

For identification, a series of molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new raspberry variety, ‘PARAGON’ at various stages of development as true as reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the color of ‘PARAGON’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new raspberry variety ‘PARAGON’ were taken in Watsonville, Calif. and are approximately 2 to 16 months old:

FIG. 1 shows typical primocane foliage and fruit color; foliate and rugosity characteristics of ‘PARAGON’ taken in the month of July 2014;

FIG. 2 shows typical coloration of apical growing tip during early primocane rapid growth of ‘PARAGON’ taken in the month of May 2013;

FIG. 3 shows typical harvested fruit of ‘PARAGON’ taken in the month of July 2014;

FIG. 4 shows typical dormant cane color characteristics of ‘PARAGON’ taken in the month of January 2013.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘PARAGON’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type, and location.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following description of the new raspberry variety ‘PARAGON’, unless otherwise noted, are based upon observations taken during the 2013-2014 growing season in Watsonville, Calif. Primocane measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘PARAGON’ dug from a nursery located in Siskiyou County, California during the middle of October 2012 and planted approximately 3 to 4 weeks later in Watsonville, Calif. The approximate age of the observed primocane plants is 7 to 8 months. Floricane measurements and ratings were taken from the same planting of ‘PARAGON’ at an approximate age of 16 to 18 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from five years of data collected from the 2009 through 2013 production seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted. Foliage characteristics and measurements are from 3-foliate foliage unless otherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows the R.H.S. Colour Chart Fifth Edition, Royal Horticultural Society, London, United Kingdom (1966).

The following tables 3-7 describe fruit, plant, foliage, flower and pest/disease characteristics of the new raspberry ‘PARAGON’ in comparison to the similar raspberry varieties ‘GRANDEUR’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,459).

TABLE 3 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS ‘GRANDEUR’ Characteristic ‘PARAGON’ (U.S. PP20,459) Color mature fruit RHS 34A RHS 42A Light red Medium red Color achenes RHS 159A RHS 159A Orange-white Orange-white group group Fruit length (mm) 23.12 22.91 Fruit width (mm) 21.65 20.12 Length/Width ratio 1.07 1.14 Longer than Longer than broad broad Seed weight (mg) 1.51 1.75 Druplets per berry 116 93 Weight of single drupe (g/drupe) 0.038 0.043 Relative size of drupes Small Medium Fruit size Medium Medium Predominant shape Conical Conical Evenness of color Even Even Glossiness High Medium Adherence of receptacle Medium Weak Firmness of flesh Very firm Very firm Firmness of skin Very firm Very firm Soluble Solids (% brix) 11.3 10.5 Flavor Excellent Good

TABLE 4 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS ‘GRANDEUR’ Characteristic ‘PARAGON’ (U.S. PP20,459) General: Habit Upright Upright Size Medium Medium Productivity High High Self-fruitfulness Yes Yes Type of bearing Everbearing Everbearing Primocane: Color (true) RHS 145A RHS 145B Yellow-green Yellow-green group group Length (cm) 159.2 143.6 Basal diameter (mm) 12.51 21.80 Diameter central 1/3 (mm) 9.66 12.55 Lateral length at central 1/3 (cm) 33.6 43.6 No. fruiting laterals per cane 15.6 17.4 Internode length at central 1/3 (mm) 42.77 48.84 Anthocyanin coloration RHS 59B RHS 59B Red-purple Red-purple group group Anthocyanin intensity Weak Weak Pubescence Absent Absent Length of vegetative bud (mm) 10.65 11.01 Strength of waxy coat (glaucosity) Absent to very Absent to very weak weak Time of flowering Early Medium Time of fruiting Early Medium Length of fruiting season Long Long % of total yield 45% 50% Flowering period Late June to Late June to Late November Late November Harvest period Late July to Late July to. Late December Late December Primocane fruit weight (g) 4.2 3.9 Primocane yield (g/plant) 2,405 2,662 Young Shoots: Number Medium Medium Anthocyanin presence Present Present Anthocyanin coloration RHS 179B RHS 179A Red-purple Greyed-red group group Anthocyanin intensity Weak Medium Thorns: Thorn coloration RHS 179A RHS 180C Greyed-red Greyed-red group group Thorn length at central 1/3 (mm) 0.75 0.76 Thorn base at central 1/3 (mm) 0.97 1.53 Thorn presence Present Present Thorn density per cm at central 1/3 4.41 3.38 Medium Medium Thorn texture Rigid Rigid Attitude of the tip Horizontal Horizontal Floricane: Color (true) RHS N167A RHS 164A Greyed-orange Greyed-orange group group Length (cm) 119.4 119.8 Fruiting lateral attitude Erect Erect Time bud burst Medium Medium Time of flowering Medium Medium Time of fruiting Medium Medium Length of fruiting season Medium to long Medium to long % of total yield 55% 50% Flowering period Late April to Late April to Late June Late June Harvest period Late May to Late May to Late July Late July Floricane fruit weight (g) 4.0 3.7 Floricane yield (g/plant) 2,926 2,680

TABLE 5 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS ‘GRANDEUR’ ‘PARAGON’ (U.S. PP20,459) Characteristic (3 Foliate) (3 Foliate) General: Color of upper surface RHS N137A RHS N137A Green group Green group Color of lower surface RHS 190B RHS 190B Greyed-green Greyed-green group group Shape in cross section Slightly concave Flat to slightly convex Arrangement Compound Compound Relief between veins (rugosity) Very Strong Strong Glossiness Weak Weak Number of leaflets/leaf Equal 3-5 Always 3 Terminal Leaflet: Length (mm) 133.7 127.5 Width (mm) 89.7 91.6 Length/Width Ratio 1.5 1.4 Longer than Longer than broad broad Size Medium Medium to large Shape Cordate Cordate Shape of base Cordate Cordate Shape of tip Acuminate Acuminate Margins Biserrate Biserrate Lateral Leaflet: Length (mm) 114.6 105.5 Width (mm) 62.7 65.1 Length/Width Ratio 1.8 1.6 Much longer Longer than than broad broad Rachis length (mm) 37.7 36.2 Orientation Opposite Opposite Arrangement Compound Compound Shape Ovate Ovate Overlapping Touching Touching Shape of the base Oblique Oblique rounded Shape of the tip Acuminate Acuminate Margins Biserrate Biserrate Petiole: Length (mm) 62.77 59.00 Width (mm) 2.93 3.99 Thorn presence Yes Yes Thorn orientation Erect Erect Anthocyanin coloration of RHS 184C RHS 184C upper surface Greyed-purple Greyed-purple group group Anthocyanin intensity of Absent to very Weak upper surface weak Stipule length (mm) 10.51 10.23 Stipule orientation Erect Erect to horizontal

TABLE 6 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS ‘GRANDEUR’ Characteristic ‘PARAGON’ (U.S. PP20,459) Petal color 155C 155C White group White group Flower diameter (mm) 17.34 22.55 Petal Length (mm) 6.53 6.42 Petal width (mm) 2.71 3.11 Petal length/width ratio 2.41 2.06 Much longer Much longer than broad than broad No. petals/flower 5.4 5.2 No. sepals/flower 5.4 5.2 Relative number of pedicel thorns Few Medium Peduncle anthocyanin presence Present Present Peduncle anthocyanin coloration RHS 184B RHS 184A Greyed-purple Greyed-purple group group Peduncle anthocyanin intensity Weak Medium

TABLE 7 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS ‘GRANDEUR’ Characteristic ‘PARAGON’ (U.S. PP20,459) Two spotted drosophila Susceptible Susceptible Two spotted spider mite Susceptible Susceptible Grey fruit mold Susceptible Susceptible Powdery mildew Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible Yellow rust Moderately Moderately susceptible resistant 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of raspberry plant named ‘PARAGON’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above. 